Nikita Zaitsev

Zaitsev has five assists and zero goals in 28 games so far this season for the Senators, his fourth with the team.

Lafferty, a speedy penalty-killer who has scored 10 goals this season (including four shorthanded), is on the market, too, and the Blackhawks are hoping he’s worth a second-rounder to somebody. At this stage of the game, he’s likely a sixth or seventh defenceman on most NHL teams. [Patrick Kane](https://theathletic.com/nhl/player/patrick-kane-0Z82bVOGMbWoqDWD/), McCabe or [Sam Lafferty](https://theathletic.com/nhl/player/sam-lafferty-8fCwLojAlcHc8buC/) yet. His play in the defensive zone was likely not commensurate with his $4.5 million salary and he found himself demoted to the AHL at the end of November. Over the past couple of seasons, Zaitsev has become a lightning rod for criticism in the Senators’ fan base. Weaponizing cap space is important and a key part of Davidson’s grand plan. This also helps the Blackhawks reach the cap floor next season, with [Jonathan Toews](https://theathletic.com/nhl/player/jonathan-toews-hQ4iOrjWSpCCnKly/) ($10.5 million), Kane ($10.5 million) and about $3.6 million of Duncan Keith’s recapture penalty coming off the books. It would seem strange that general manager Pierre Dorion would suddenly feel the need to send a second- and fourth-round pick to Chicago to take Zaitsev’s contract unless he had something else brewing. By dumping Zaitsev’s contract, the Senators are out from his contract, which carried a $4.5 million cap hit through the end of next season. Chicago also receives a second-round 2023 draft pick and a fourth-round 2026 draft pick in the deal. Ottawa is clearing out cap space, likely with the intention of adding another defenceman at some point before the March 3 deadline. “Nikita gives us added depth on the right side and we anticipate him joining us soon.”

TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston notes that Zaitsev had a limited no-trade clause but did not have to waive it for the move to Chicago. Johnston adds the Sens ...

“We’re pleased to afford Nikita a fresh start. TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston notes that Zaitsev had a limited no-trade clause but did not have to waive it for the move to Chicago. The Ottawa Senators are trading defenceman Nikita Zaitsev, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations.

Of note is the fact that the Senators will save nearly $6MM in real cash through this deal. Advertisement. Senators general manager Pierre Dorion issued the ...

The Senators clear valuable cap space to acquire more useful players, while the Blackhawks add a valuable draft pick to assist them in their rebuilding process. With that as the team’s overarching goal, it makes sense that Dorion would view clearing $4.5MM off his books for this season and next to be more valuable than a second-round pick this year and a fourth-rounder for the 2026 draft. [acquired](https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2019/07/toronto-ottawa-to-finalize-trade.html) Zaitsev, contract and all, from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 in a move that would be a major help to their division rival’s ability to navigate a tight salary cap situation. Ottawa has long been rumored to be scouring the trade market in search of defensive help, so it’s possible that this trade was made with the hope of using Zaitsev’s vacated cap space to accommodate a pricey blueline reinforcement. We saw [immigration issues](https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2022/03/update-on-artturi-lehkonen.html) hold back [Artturi Lehkonen](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/lehkoar01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.prohockeyrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-22_hr)’s debut with the Colorado Avalanche last year, so this will be a situation to monitor moving forward. [first reported by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli](https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1628545684373704705). It’s a natural fit for each team and a deal that will likely leave both teams’ fanbases satisfied. [we covered](https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/02/trade-deadline-notes-chychrun-myers-zaitsev-lheureux.html) how the Senators were reportedly “actively trying to move” Zaitsev and his hefty cap hit. The quality of this summer’s draft is widely considered to be deeper than in past years, so the Blackhawks are adding a pick that they likely believe can possibly land them an impact player down the line. Zaitsev’s tenure in Ottawa was disappointing, as although he averaged over 22 minutes a night in his first two seasons, his play was often inconsistent and he eventually saw his role and importance in coach D.J. Of note is the fact that the Senators will save nearly $6MM in real cash through this deal. [Isaak Phillips](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/p/phillis01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.prohockeyrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-22_hr) back to the AHL, placing Zaitsev on their bottom pairing.

The Ottawa Senators have traded Nikita Zaitsev and two draft picks to the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations.

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Nikita Zaitsev and two draft picks from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for future considerations.